Toothbrush



July 23, 1 s. F. FITZGERALD TOOTHBRUSH Filed May 27, 1929 de oe Ffig ema .ATTO R N EV WITNESS:

Patented July 23, 1929.

umren stares FATE TOOTHBR'U'SH.

Application filed May 27,

This invention relates to a tooth -brush, the general object of the invention being to so form the brush that it can be used for cleaning the back portions of the teeth and also to make portions of the brush flexible so that it can be adjusted to fit the mouth of the person using the same.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote likeor corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in wnich:

Figure 1 is a view showing how the brush is used to clean the back portions of the teeth.

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an edge view with parts broken away.

As shown in these views, I make use of a forked piece 1 of metal, the stem of the member having a semi-circular curve 2 therein where it joins the prongs and said prongs curve downwardly and forwardly adjacent their junction with the stem, as shown at 3. Each prong has its major portion, beginning at the extremity of the prong, formed. of upper and lower strips 4 which are fastened together by the rivets 5 and the bristle carrying portions 6 are arranged between these strips, with the bristles 7 extending from the outer faces of the prongs. The prongs and stem are then coated with a coating of suitable material, some of this material entering the spaces between the strips to bind the bristle carrying members to the strips and this material is molded to form the handle 9.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have produced a brush which is provided with a pair of diverging arms, with bristles on their outer faces, so that when the arms are placed in the mouth, the bristles will en- 1929. Serial No. 366,330.

gage the rear or back portions of the teeth, as shown in Figure 1, so that the back portions can be thoroughly cleaned. By forming the arms and the stem of metal, these parts can be bent to make them fit the mouth of the person using the brush, the coating being of such a nature that it will permit this movement of the parts.

As will be seen from Figure 3, the bristle carrying parts of the arms are below the plane of the handle so that the lower teeth can be readily cleaned with the brush held in the position it occupies in Figure 8, and then by reversing the brush, the upper teeth can be cleaned.

It is though from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a metal frame having a stem embedded therein, said frame being formed with diverging arms, each arm being composed of an upper portion and a lower portion spaced apart, means connecting the portions together, bristle carrying members arranged between the parts, with the bristles projecting from the outer faces of the arms and a coating cover ing the frame.

2. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a metal frame having a stem embedded therein, said frame being formed with diverging arms each arm being composed of an upper portion and a lower portion spaced apart means connecting the portions together, bristle carrying members arranged between the parts, with the bristles projecting from the outer faces of the arms and a coating cover-- ing the frame, said frame being flexible.

I In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

STEPHEN F. FITZGERALD. 

